Collection Scope and Content Note

The John Arnold log book collection is a volume of entries from Ship's Master John Arnold, documenting his time on three New York-based merchant ships: Elizabeth C. Felter (October 28, 1855-July 7, 1860); Daniel S. Williams (September 15, 1860-November 30, 1860); and Le Roy (March 5, 1862-October 21, 1862). Ship destinations include: Baltimore, Maryland; Charleston, South Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; New York New York; Norfolk, Virginia; Savannah, Georgia; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The first two ships traded northern merchandise, coal, timber, and deals (yellow pine) for southern rice, cotton, molasses, and Brazilian coffee. The Le Roy continued these routes and supplied the US Navy with provisions during the Civil War.

The logs record weather conditions, ship maneuvers and maintenance, ship movements, discharging and loading of cargo, and various on-board situations including: the punishment of sailors, grumblings of mutiny, and sightings of lighthouses. Also of interest is a page listing the accounts for paying the crew of the Daniel S. Williams , found at the beginning of the ship's log.